“Sure,” Ash said quietly. “We’ll take care of things but I need to know if it’s all right to let the Pack know about . . . you know?”
“Lana knows and I doubt she’ll be able to keep it to herself. I guess it would be better coming from you two, as Betas. Just explain Marissa’s been hurt and that’s why I’m not announcing this myself. I’ll introduce my mate to the Pack just as soon as she’s fit enough, and not a moment sooner.”
“I’ll get right on that,” Ash replied formally. “Everyone will be excited but they’ll also understand, Alpha. I’ll make sure I’m here to field the well-wishers that are sure to arrive.”
“Thanks.” Shade inclined his head. “Royce, are you all right to take over the full running of The Den for the foreseeable future? I’m not sure when I’ll be able to return. I’ll have my hands full with Marissa for a while, according to Lana anyway.”
“I’ll be fine, Shade, don’t worry about it.”
“Great, thanks to both of you, for everything. I know I’ve been a pain in the ass but I appreciate your help. To be honest, I’m still in shock about this, but I know she’s mine. There’s no doubt about it, she’s my soulmate and I have to devote my time to ensuring she recovers, and then I guess we’ll see what happens next.”
“Pups, lots and lots of pups.” Royce guffawed. “You’ll be knee-deep in them.”
“Shut it!” Shade snarled half-heartedly before turning his back on his friends and loping up the stairs, desperate to return to Marissa.
Shade found Lana sitting next to Marissa, chatting to her as if she were awake, telling his mate about Silver Lake Pack and, more importantly, that she was safe. Lana turned when he walked in, her eyes twinkling when she saw the large number of packages he carried.
“Did you leave anything in the stores?”
“Yes, of course.” Shade strode to his walk-in wardrobe, depositing Marissa’s supplies on the large dresser in the middle, before returning to the bedroom.
“How is she?” he asked, looking down at Marissa, now covered by his comforter.
“She’s stable. I’ve attached a drip to keep her going for now. It’ll keep her hydrated and it’s got my special something added to it that should help her. I’ve washed her and as I didn’t have anything to dress her in, I hope you don’t mind, but I put her in one of your t-shirts.”
“That’s fine,” Shade replied quietly, sitting on the end of the bed, taking one of Marissa’s hands in his gently.
“Alpha, do you want me to unpack her things for you?”
“Yeah, if you don’t mind. There’s plenty of room in there, on the right,” Shade said absentmindedly, his thoughts focused on the prone body in his bed. Marissa’s pale face and dark circles gave her an ethereal appearance, her beauty unsurpassed in Shade’s eyes. He’d never seen anything as stunning in his entire life and he longed to see her lids open so he could stare into those dark pools of chocolate.
Shade couldn’t wait to connect with his mate, as a Wolf should have very soon after first meeting. Unfortunately, they didn’t get that opportunity, what with her father and his band of merry men there, and then she’d collapsed. Hell, his beast was desperate to meet hers, hunt together, run wild together, and have her submit to his while he marked her as his. Damn, that was what he craved right this minute. Shade could almost feel his fangs piercing her delicate skin, taste her blood as it swam over his taste buds to flow down his throat, and his cock as it . . . no. Don’t go there. Not now.
“Fuck!” Shade shook his head, clearing it of the thoughts that clouded his mind.
“Are you okay?”
Lana’s question causing him to jerk around. He’d forgotten she was still there. “What? Yeah, I’m concerned about Marissa and I’m still getting used to having found her.”
“I can understand that.” Lana smiled. “I now know why the discs of the Archives were suddenly so important.”
Shade refused to look at her, not wishing to lie, but also not confirming anything either.
“I’m glad you found her, Alpha. If I may add something. I think she’s been running on empty for some time, but when you found her she must have sensed she was safe, even if she didn’t have time to recognize what you were to her. She knew inside she could let go and that’s why she finally collapsed. She instinctually knew that you’d protect her, Shade.”
Shade tilted his head, looking between his Healer and his mate. “You think?”
“I do. Hey, I’m your Healer and know ‘bout this shit. Anyway, that’s my thoughts on it and it will be good for the Pack to have you mated, and it will be good for you too. A soulmate is something precious and will change you in so many ways that I can’t begin to list them all. I wish you nothing but happiness, Shade.”
“Thank you, Lana.” Shade turned his full attention to her now, smiling. “I appreciate that.”
“I’ll come back tomorrow morning and see how she is. For now, all you need to do is keep an eye on her. If there’s any change, call me and I’ll be here before you can say lickety split.”
Shade raised an eyebrow. “And when in hell have you heard me say that?”
“You know what I mean,” Lana replied grinning. “I’ve got to go check on my other patient, he’s not healing well, I’m afraid.”
“What? Who?” Shade asked, concerned
